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There's an implicit assumption that the organizers would cancel the race if conditions are unsafe. E.g., when I go on a rollercoaster, I assume engineers have calculated the safety better than I could ever evaluate

Thank You The article really didn't convey it. This puts it in perspective. Should have been cancelled.

Two dead. How many quit midway, abandoned the race. That would also help add context. Rarely do people die in isolation, there were probably a lot of people struggling, they just happened to make it to a boat.

Seconded, when I heard about this my first reaction was that some rough seas would be no big deal, but seeing that video... damn. Not only is that a rough environment for a hard swim, but it's a terrible one for people doing the life-guarding and rescue work.

Its an Ironmaan challenge, not a Sunday swim. By similar logic all Ice skating should be banned, ice is slippery and you might hit your head.

If an ice skater gets too tired to skate, they don't die. There's a reason why swimming has lifeguards. Beyond the water being more difficult to swim in, it may make rescuing swimmers more difficult.

This is completely ignorant.

Their is a reason the swim happens first. Even for elite athletes the swim can be dangerous.

If you get tired running, you just walk, or stop.

If you get tired swimming you drown and die.

The risk factors for open water swimming are dramatically different from other sports. Many races get cancelled just based on water conditions.

Wow. Awful

The "scary" thing from an advanced swimmer is that its that despite some comments here its not REALLY looking scary for anyone born close to such conditions.

I know its actually scary because I've seen some "countryside " swimmers get full panic for a third of that kinda waves.

There are levels to this and iron man organize should take that into account

Deleted; I found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbK0ZL4Ztps